Everton Rival Liverpool With Bid for Ajax Star

Everton want to sign Alderweireld from under the noses of neighbours Liverpool. (Reuters)

Everton have reignited their interest in Liverpool target Toby Alderweireld having come forward with an offer for the Ajax defender, according to the player's agent.

The Belgium international has been persistently linked with a move away from the Amsterdam Arena this summer having entered the last year of his contract, although he 24-year-old has insisted renewing his deal with the Eredivisie champions is still an option.

Alderweireld has already turned down opportunities to join Norwich City and Bayer Leverkusen this summer as he awaits the right offer, but Roberto Martinez is reportedly ready to try his luck and attempt to entice the highly rated centre half with a tempting offer.

"Though there are other concrete directions, Toby must now look at which team he finds the most challenging."

The report also suggests a fee of £7m would be enough to secure a deal for Alderweireld, who has collected 24 senior caps for his country. The Toffees' head scout Kevin Reeves was reportedly present at Ajax's season opening victory over Roda JC where he enhanced his credentials with a solid performance in a 3-0 victory.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Belgian throughout the summer as the club seek to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher, who retired from football at the end of last season.

A bid from their Merseyside neighbours could prove enough to shake the Reds into action, having added just Kolo Toure to their already limited options at centre half.

Although he rejected the opportunity to join Norwich earlier this summer, Alderweireld has indicated that playing for a club competing in the Champions League is not a priority, comments which will have boosted both Merseyside clubs.

"I am looking for a good club that play attacking football and that suits my game," the Belgian said last week.

"It would be nice if they are in the Champions League, but it is not a requirement. I don't want to play a lower standard of football in any case."